Method and apparatus for preventing damage due to media faults in discs spinning at high speeds

ABSTRACT

A system that prevents fragments of a disc from escaping from a drive. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a drive and a fragment barricade affixed within the drive. The fragment barricade is positioned within the drive so as to prevent fragments of the disc from escaping from the drive.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention derives priority from U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 60/213,735, titled “Method and Apparatus for Preventing DamageDue to Media Faults in Discs Spinning at High Speeds,” filed Jun. 22,2000; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/887,878, filed Jun. 21,2001; which are incorporated herein in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Inferior quality optical media, such as CD-ROM discs or other discs,have been found to be susceptible to hairline cracks located toward theinner diameter. Under high rotation speeds, inferior media or media withhairline cracks can fracture after some time.

For example, referring to FIG. 1, a CD-ROM disc 1 will have hairlinecracks 2 if used under wear-and-tear conditions for some time. Suchhairline cracks may also often be found on those discs manufactured byan unlicensed manufacturer. Furthermore, referring to FIG. 2, thefirmness of the locking feature 10 found on the cases 12 for CD-ROMdiscs prohibits convenient removal of the discs. When a user pulls adisc out of a case, the disc is forced against the locking feature. Thiscauses the disc to bend and gives rise to hairline cracks 2 at the innerdiameter 3 of the disc. Furthermore, these hairline cracks can continueto propagate as playing continues, eventually resulting in fracture ofthe disc.

Referring to FIG. 3, a drive 20 is shown with the tray 22 and tray cover(shutter) 24 in an open position. When a disc within the drive isspinning at high speeds (e.g., in excess of 8000 r.p.m.) and fractures,the front plastic enclosure 26 typically seen on drives is ofteninsufficient to prevent disc fragments from flying out. This is becausethe front plastic enclosure simply is not as strong as the metal topenclosure 28. Consequently, these projectiles pose a considerable dangerto the user and any people proximate the drive. Furthermore, the traycan be displaced outwardly from the assembly and the tray cover canbecome dislodged and cracked.

Attempts to lock the tray 22 in a closed position have proven to beinadequate because heavy impact forces can still open the tray.Furthermore, attempts to redesign the plastic tray cover 24 by creatingthicker sections and strengthening features have failed because the traycan still be forced outwardly by high impact forces. Moreover, sincesharp projectiles can penetrate the front plastic enclosure, theutilization of a stronger material has been employed. Nevertheless, itis possible that fragments can get caught between the front plasticenclosure and the metal top enclosure 28.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a system is providedthat prevents fragments of a disc from escaping from a drive. The systemcomprises a drive and a fragment barricade affixed within the drive. Thefragment barricade is positioned within the drive so as to preventfragments of a disc from escaping from the drive.

According to another aspect of the invention, a fragment barricade isprovided that comprises an elongate member, wherein the fragmentbarricade is positionable within a drive so as to prevent fragments of adisc from escaping from the drive.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided ofpreventing fragments of a disc from escaping from a drive. The methodcomprises providing a drive and a fragment barricade. The fragmentbarricade is affixed within the drive. The fragment barricade ispositioned within the drive so as to prevent fragments of a disc fromescaping from the drive.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent in viewof the following detailed description and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disc;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disc case containing a disc;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drive;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a drive of the present invention in unassembledrelation;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a fragment barricade of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the fragment barricade of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting the fragment barricade of FIG. 5 affixedwithin a drive; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a drive with the fragmentbarricade of FIG. 5 affixed therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the exemplary drawings wherein like reference numeralsindicate like or corresponding elements among the figures, the presentinvention includes a system that prevents fragments of a disc fromescaping from a drive. As mentioned previously, inferior quality opticalmedia, such as CD-ROM discs or other discs, are often prone to hairlinecracks located toward the inner diameter. The discs can fracture aftersome time under high rotation speeds. The front panel and shutter of anoptical drive are not designed to protect from fractured flying media;rather, they are designed for decoration and completeness of the drive.Therefore, it would be desirable to find a way to prevent damage both tothe disc drive and to the user.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, a system is depicted that prevents fragments ofa disc from escaping from a drive. The system includes a drive 20, whichmay be any suitable drive, including drives of the prior art.

Turning to FIG. 4, in one embodiment according to the present invention,the drive 20 includes a bottom enclosure 30. The bottom enclosure can bemade of sheet metal or other suitable materials. A PC board 32 sitswithin the bottom enclosure. A chassis 34 is positioned on top of the PCboard. The chassis can be formed from plastic or another suitablematerial.

An assembly 36 is affixed within the chassis 34. The assembly can movebetween a first position 38A and a second position 38B. A laser pick-upmodule 40 is slidably disposed within the chassis. The laser pick-upmodule can slide between a first position 42A and a second position 42Bwithin the chassis.

A spindle motor 44 is rotatably mounted on the assembly 36. A spindle 46is affixed to the spindle motor and rotates therewith. The spindle cancome into apposition with a compact disc 1.

A tray 22 is attached to a tray cover (shutter) 24, both of which may bemade of plastic or another suitable material. The tray has an openposition and a closed position and can slide in and out of the frontplastic enclosure 26. A top enclosure 28, which can be made of metal oranother suitable material, is attached to the bottom enclosure 30 andencases the internal elements of the drive.

A spinning disc 48, which can be made of plastic or another suitablematerial, is rotatably mounted within the top enclosure 28. The spinningdisc 48 is shown as detached from the top enclosure in FIG. 4 toillustrate how the disc 1 is held between the spinning disc 48 and thespindle 46. Furthermore, the tray 22 is actually located below the disc1 to support the disc 1; however, the tray is drawn above the disc 1 inFIG. 4 for clarity of illustration. The tray includes an opening thereinin order that the spindle 46 and the laser pick-up module 40 can accessthe disc 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention, a fragment barricade 100 is fixedly mounted withinthe top enclosure 28 of the drive 20. Only a the top enclosure of thedrive is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 for clarity of illustration. Thefragment barricade can be formed from a hard material, such as a metal.The fragment barricade can also be formed from a flexible material. Thefragment barricade can also be formed of materials such as a thickrubber sponge or a plastic material. It is contemplated that thefragment barricade can be made of any material or combination ofmaterials sufficient to stop flying projectiles.

In keeping with the invention, the fragment barricade 100 is positionedwithin the drive 20 so as to prevent fragments of a disc from escapingfrom the drive. In one embodiment, the fragment barricade is an elongatemember. However, it is envisioned that the fragment barricade may be ofvarying shapes.

In one embodiment, the fragment barricade 100 includes one or more sidelatches, or attachment elements 102. The attachment elements can includeapertures 104 to facilitate attachment of the fragment barricade to thedrive 20, such as by metal flanges or other elements. The attachmentelements further provide added strength and resiliency to the fragmentbarricade.

The fragment barricade 100 further includes a plate 106 having apertures108. The apertures 108 can receive self-tapping screws, or otherelements, therethrough to facilitate attachment of the fragmentbarricade to the drive 20.

The fragment barricade 100 can be manufactured using conventionalmethods. For example, the fragment barricade can be stamped out from ametal sheet and formed into shape by a tool or machine. In oneembodiment, the fragment barricade can be mounted within the drive 20 onthe front underside of the top enclosure proximate where a disc rotates.However, it is envisioned that the fragment barricade can be mountedelsewhere as well.

In operation, a disc 1 is placed within the tray 22 while the tray is inan open position. The tray is then closed by way of a switch or otheractuating mechanism. The assembly 36 then moves into its second position38B. This action causes the spindle 46 to come into apposition with thedisc 1 by way of an opening in the tray. Thus, the spindle lifts thedisc 1 and clamps the disc 1 against the spinning disc 48. The spindlemotor 44 rotates the spindle 46, which in turn rotates the disc 1. Thespinning disc 48 thus rotates with the disc 1. The laser pick-up module40 slides back and forth with respect to the assembly while the disc 1is spinning, and is thus able to access and read any portion of the disc1.

As described supra, the disc 1 may fracture over time. If it were notfor the fragment barricade 100, fragments of the disc 1 could strikeagainst the inside of the plastic front enclosure 26 at a high velocityand either pierce the front enclosure or open the tray 22 and shutter24. This could damage the drive 20 and people in the vicinity of thedrive. The fragment barricade of the present invention serves to stopany fragments of the disc I from doing damage to the drive or others.Furthermore, the fragment barricade is inexpensive and easy tomanufacture, and can be mounted within other types of media players.

The invention has now been described with reference to the preferredembodiments. Alternatives and substitutions will now be apparent topersons of skill in the art. For example, the fragment barricade can beused with various other types of drives, such as drives that utilizemedia other than CD-ROM discs 1 or drives that do not have trays 22.Accordingly, it is not intended to limit the invention except asprovided by the appended claims.

1. A disc drive at least to read a disc, the drive comprising: a substantially planar and rectangular front side including an opening through which the disc is displaceable; a fragment barricade mounted within the disk drive and including an elongate member positionable proximate the front side so as to prevent fragments of the disc from escaping from the front side of the drive; and an assembly movable between a first position in which the disc is received by the assembly via the opening, and a second position in which the elongate member is positioned between the disc and the front side and intersects a plane in which the disc operatively rotates.
 2. The drive of claim 1, wherein the fragment barricade is mounted within a drive enclosure, the elongate member being rectangular and operatively positioned between the disc and the front side.
 3. The drive of claim 1, wherein the fragment barricade is fixedly mounted within a drive enclosure.
 4. The drive of claim 1, comprising a top enclosure and the fragment barricade is mounted to the top enclosure.
 5. The drive of claim 1, wherein the fragment barricade is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a hard material, and a flexible material.
 6. The drive of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is a rectangular planar member operatively positioned along the front side of the drive.
 7. The drive of claim 1, wherein the drive is an optical drive.
 8. The drive of claim 1, wherein the opening is substantially elongate in outline.
 9. The drive of claim 1, comprising an enclosure including: spaced parallel sides; and a top and a bottom, the top and the bottom being spaced and parallel and wherein the fragment barricade includes attachment elements for attaching the fragment barricade to one of the top and the bottom or at least one of the spaced parallel sides.
 10. An enclosure comprising: an optical disc drive at least to read an optical disc; a substantially planar and rectangular front side including an opening through which the optical disc is displaceable; a fragment barricade mounted within the disk drive and including an elongate member positionable proximate the front side so as to prevent fragments of the optical disc from escaping from the front side of the optical drive; and an assembly movable between a first position in which the disc is received by the assembly via the opening, and a second position in which the elongate member is positioned between the disc and the front side and intersects a plane in which the disc operatively rotates.
 11. The enclosure of claim 10, comprising a PC board mounted within the enclosure.
 12. The enclosure of claim 11, wherein the PC board sits within a bottom of the enclosure.
 13. A method of preventing fragments of a disc from escaping from a drive, the method comprising: providing a drive including a substantially planar and rectangular front side including an opening through which the disc is displaceable; providing a fragment barricade mounted within the disk drive and including an elongate member; and moving an assembly between a first position in which the disc is received by the assembly via the opening, and a second position in which the elongate member is positioned between the disc and the front side and intersects a plane in which the disc operatively rotates.
 14. A disc drive at least to read a disc, the drive comprising: means for providing a substantially planar and rectangular front side including an opening through which the disc is displaceable; means for providing a fragment barricade mounted within the disk drive and including an elongate member; and means for moving an assembly between a first position in which the disc is received by the assembly via the opening, and a second position in which the elongate member is positioned between the disc and the front side and intersects a plane in which the disc operatively rotates. 